Inmate communication processing system

ABSTRACT

A communication processing system is coupled to a global computer network. At least one inmate communication from an inmate is automatically converted into an inmate digital communication for communication to at least one remote device. The at least one inmate communication is received at the communication processing system from a correctional facility. At least one side of each of the at least one inmate communication is automatically scanned into at least one digital file. The at least one digital file is automatically converted into the inmate digital communication according to at least one sending template. The at least one sending template is based, at least in part, on at least one formatting requirement of at least one of: the at least one remote device, and a service provider of the at least one remote device. The inmate digital communication is electronically communicated to the at least one remote device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.62/513,510, filed Jun. 1, 2017, which is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Finding inmate location information may be difficult for users of manycommunication systems. Correspondence sent through employment of manycommunication systems may be sent to an incorrect correctional facilityor an incorrect address for a correctional facility. Many communicationsystems may not support secure processing of privileged communication.Users of many communication systems may not send privilegedcommunication to inmates because of insecure delivery procedures. Manycorrectional facility employees are tasked with inefficient proceduresfor opening and screening correspondence sent to inmates. Manygovernment agents and employees may experience difficulty locatingand/or searching through past correspondence sent to inmates whennecessary. What is needed is an improved communication conversionsystem.

Finding location information of friends, family members, and associatesmay be difficult for many inmates wishing to correspond with theirfriends, family members, and associates. Inmates often need to purchasepostage to send or reply to mail from their friends, family members, andassociates. Many correctional facility employees are tasked withinefficient procedures for sorting and screening correspondence sentfrom inmates. Many inmates may not send privileged communication totheir associates due to insecure delivery procedures. Many governmentagents and employees may experience difficulty locating and searchingthrough past correspondence sent from inmates when necessary.Correctional facilities may have to install specialized communicationequipment for inmates to communicate with friends, family members, andassociates. What is needed is an improved communication processingsystem.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example communication conversionsystem network as per an aspect of various embodiments.

FIG. 2 is an example flow diagram of automatically converting a userdigital communication as per an aspect of various embodiments.

FIG. 3 is an example flow diagram of automatically converting privilegedcommunication as per an aspect of various embodiments.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example communication processingsystem network as per an aspect of various embodiments.

FIG. 5 is an example flow diagram of automatically converting at leastone inmate communication as per an aspect of various embodiments.

FIG. 6 is an example flow diagram of automatically converting at leastone privileged communication as per an aspect of various embodiments.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an example computing environment in whichaspects of embodiments of the present invention may be practiced.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

At least some embodiments of the present invention automatically convertuser digital communications for inmates into printed communications fordelivery to correctional facilities. At least some embodiments of thepresent invention automatically convert inmate communications frominmates into inmate digital communications for communication to users ofremote devices.

FIG. 1 is block diagram showing an example communication conversionsystem network 100 as per an aspect of various embodiments.Communication conversion system network 100 may comprise at least onecommunication conversion system 110, at least one remote device 130, andat least one printer 190. The at least one communication conversionsystem 110, at least one remote device 130, and at least one printer 190may communicate through employment of a global computer network (e.g.the Internet). Communication through employment of the global computernetwork may further employ, for example, at least one application,website, digital portal, Application Programming Interface (API),electronic message, digital file, combinations thereof, and/or the like.

According to some of the various embodiments, communication conversionsystem 110 may be coupled to a global computer network. Communicationconversion system 110 may be configured to perform a method ofautomatically converting user digital communication(s) 131 for an inmateinto at least one printed communication 191 for delivery to correctionalfacility 150. User digital communication(s) 131 may originate from auser of a remote device 130. User digital communication(s) 131 maycomprise at least one text message, at least one multimedia message, atleast one email, at least one image, at least one audio recording, atleast one voice recording, at least one video recording, combinationsthereof, and/or the like. The method performed by communicationconversion system 110 may comprise electronically receiving, atcommunication conversion system 110, user digital communication(s) 131from remote device 130. The method performed by communication conversionsystem 110 may comprise automatically converting user digitalcommunication(s) 131 into a formatted user communication(s) 113according to at least one receiving template. The at least one receivingtemplate may be based, at least in part, on at least one correctionalreceiving requirement 151. The method performed by communicationconversion system 110 may comprise automatically selecting acommunications address for correctional facility 150 from a plurality ofcommunications addresses. The plurality of communications addresses maybe based on communications address data 152 received from at least onecorrectional facility (e.g. 150). The communications address may bebased, at least in part, on an identifier of the inmate supplied withuser digital communication(s) 131. The method performed by communicationconversion system 110 may comprise electronically communicatingformatted user communication(s) 113 to printer 190 with instructions toprint at least one printed communication 191. At least one printedcommunication 191 may be based, at least in part, on formatted usercommunication(s) 113. At least one printed communication 191 may beconfigured to be delivered to the communications address. Thecommunications address may be one of a plurality of addresses forcorrectional facility 150.

According to some of the various embodiments, communication conversionsystem 110 may comprise multiple devices such as server(s), computersystem(s), mobile device(s), combinations thereof, and/or the like. Forexample, communication conversion system 110 may comprise at least onereceiving server 115 and at least one conversion system 118. The atleast one receiving server 115 may be configured to electronicallyreceive user digital communication(s) 131. The at least one receivingserver 115 may be configured to communicate user digitalcommunication(s) 131 to the at least one conversion system 118. The atleast one conversion system 118 may be configured to automaticallyconvert user digital communication(s) 131 into formatted usercommunication(s) 113.

According to some of the various embodiments, correctional facility 150may be one of a plurality of correctional facilities. At least some ofthe plurality of correctional facilities may be in communication withcommunication conversion system 110. An inmate may be a personincarcerated at correctional facility 150. Remote device 130 maycomprise multiple devices such as server(s), computer(s), mobiledevice(s), wearable device(s), combinations thereof, and/or the like.Examples of correctional receiving requirement(s) 151 include, forexample, a maximum image size, a maximum image resolution, a maximumfile size, a maximum paper size, a specific paper size, a maximum printjob size, a maximum print job size per page, forbidden communication,combinations thereof, and/or the like. Correctional receivingrequirement(s) 151 may, for example, be specific to a correctionalfacility rule, a correctional facility location, a county rule, a staterule, a federal rule, combinations thereof, and/or the like. A rule may,for example, be based on regulation(s), law(s), policy(ies),combinations thereof, and/or the like. According to some of the variousembodiments, a receiving template may be based, at least in part on atleast one correctional receiving requirement 151. For example, thereceiving template may be configured to reformat an image size. Thereceiving template may, for example, be configured to convert a firstresolution of an image or a video to a second resolution. The receivingtemplate may, for example, be configured to convert at least one textmessage, at least one multimedia message, at least one email message,combinations thereof, and or the like into a letter. The receivingtemplate may, for example, be configured to convert at least one audiorecording into a letter. The receiving template may, for example, beconfigured to convert at least one voice recording into a letter. Thereceiving template may, for example, be configured to at least one videorecording into a letter. The receiving template may, for example, beconfigured to remove forbidden content from user digitalcommunication(s) 131. Forbidden content may, for example, include foullanguage, discussion of illicit or illegal materials or actions, nudeimages and/or video, combinations thereof, and/or the like. Foullanguage may be defined by the correctional facility and/or a governmentagency such as the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Thereceiving template may, for example, be configured to delete userdigital communication comprising forbidden content. The receivingtemplate may be configured to remove forbidden content types from userdigital communication(s) 131. Examples of forbidden content types mayinclude, for example, images, audio recordings, voice recordings,videos, high resolution images, high resolution videos, encryptedcontent, handwritten text and/or drawings, combinations thereof, and/orthe like.

According to some of the various embodiments, an identifier of an inmatemay be supplied with user digital communication(s) 131. The identifiermay, for example, comprise first name, last name, location, middle name,date of birth, social security number, inmate number or otherdesignator, combinations thereof, and/or the like. A communicationsaddress may be based, at least in part, on the identifier. Thecommunications address may comprise a street address. The street addressmay be designated for inmate communication. The communications addressmay comprise an electronic address. The communications address may, forexample, comprise an inmate designator, pod designator, blockdesignator, cell designator, bed designator, combinations thereof,and/or the like. Communication conversion system 110 may be configuredto determine a communications address from the identifier.

According to some of the various embodiments, a method performed bycommunication conversion system 110 may comprise automatically applyingidentification information of a user of remote device 130 to userdigital communication(s) 131. For example, identification information ofthe user may be included in account information of an account held bythe user on communication conversion system 110. According to some ofthe various embodiments, user digital communication(s) 131 may compriseidentification information for a user of remote device 130.Identification information may, for example, comprise a user name,mobile number, email address, mailing address, combinations thereof,and/or the like. User digital communication(s) 131 may comprise at leastone greeting card. The at least one greeting card may, for example,comprise a digital greeting card, an image of a greeting card, ananimation, a video, combinations thereof, and/or the like.

According to some of the various embodiments, at least one printedcommunication 191 may be void of an envelope. The at least one printedcommunication 191 may be void of an indication of postage. For example,the at least one printed communication 191, generated automaticallythrough employment of communication conversion system 110, may bedelivered to a communications address of correctional facility 150 byhand. In another example, the at least one printed communication 191 maybe delivered electronically to at least one computer system accessiblefrom within correctional facility 150. In yet another example, printer190 may be disposed to correctional facility 150.

According to some of the various embodiments, a method performed by acommunication conversion system 110 may comprise electronicallyreceiving payment information 133 for at least one money order. Paymentinformation 133 may be electronically received from remote device 130.Payment information 133 may comprise transaction information of at leastone transaction processed through employment of, for example, creditcard(s), debit card(s), bank account(s), electronic payment services(e.g. PayPal, bitcoin), combinations thereof, and/or the like. Paymentinformation 133 may comprise a payment request for a transaction to beprocessed through employment of communication conversion system 110, atleast one remote device 130, at least one merchant exchange servicecomputer system, at least one computer system accessible fromcorrectional facility 150, combinations thereof, and/or the like. Themethod performed by communication conversion system 110 may compriseautomatically including the at least one money order in formatted usercommunication(s) 113. The at least one money order and or a designatorof the at least one money order may be printed by at least one of atleast one printer 190. The at least one money order and or thedesignator of the at least one money order may be delivered to acommunications address of correctional facility 150. The at least onemoney order and or the designator of the at least one money order mayinclude a statement of an account affiliated with correctional facility150.

According to some of the various embodiments, a method performed bycommunication conversion system 110 may comprise automatically storinguser digital communication(s) 111 and/or formatted user communication(s)112 in at least one data storage device 170. User digitalcommunication(s) 111 may, for example, be the same as user digitalcommunication(s) 131. User digital communication(s) 111 may, forexample, be an encrypted and/or compressed version of user digitalcommunication(s) 131. Formatted user communication(s) 112 may, forexample, be the same as formatted user communication(s) 113. Formatteduser communication(s) 112 may, for example, be encrypted and/orcompressed version(s) of formatted user communication(s) 113. The methodperformed by communication conversion system 110 may compriseautomatically authenticating at least one government agency user foraccess to at least one data storage device 170. The method performed bycommunication conversion system 110 may comprise automatically grantingat least one of the at least one government agency user access to atleast one data storage device 170. Examples of the at least onegovernment agency user may include law enforcement officer(s), member(s)of Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, FBI agent(s), HomelandSecurity agent(s), employees of at least one correctional facility (e.g.150), combinations thereof, and/or the like. The method performed bycommunication conversion system 110 may comprise automatically searchingat least one data storage device 170. Searches may, for example, bebased on at least one keyword, at least one identifier of at least oneinmate, identification information of at least one user, combinationsthereof, and/or the like. The at least one keyword may be received fromthe at least one government agency user. The at least one keyword may beselected by the at least one government agency user from at least onelist of a plurality of keywords provided by communication conversionsystem 110.

According to some of the various embodiments, a method performed bycommunication conversion system 110 may comprise automaticallyidentifying user digital communication(s) 131 as privilegedcommunication(s). Identifying user digital communication(s) 131 asprivileged communication(s) may be based, at least in part, onidentification information of a user of remote device 130. Identifyinguser digital communication(s) 131 as privileged communication(s) may bebased, at least in part, on a privileged communication flag associatedwith user digital communication(s) 131. Privileged communication(s) maycomprise communication from a legal practitioner (e.g. an attorney), amedical practitioner (e.g. a doctor of physical and/or mental health), areligious practitioner (e.g. a priest or minister), combinationsthereof, and/or the like. The method performed by communicationconversion system 110 may comprise automatically storingcommunication(s) header information 114 for user digitalcommunication(s) 131 and/or formatted user communication(s) 113 in atleast one data storage device 170. Communication(s) header information114 may comprise information other than content associated with userdigital communication(s) 131 and/or formatted user communication(s) 113.The method performed by communication conversion system 110 may compriseautomatically storing user digital communication(s) 181 and/or formatteduser communication(s) 182 in at least one privileged data storage device180. User digital communication(s) 181 and/or formatted usercommunication(s) 182 may comprise privileged communication(s). Userdigital communication(s) 181 may be the same as user digitalcommunication(s) 131. Formatted user communication(s) 182 may be thesame as formatted user communication(s) 113. Access to the at least oneprivileged data storage device 180 may be restricted. Access to the atleast one privileged data storage device 180 may require a court ordersuch as a subpoena or a warrant.

FIG. 2 is an example flow diagram of automatically converting a userdigital communication (e.g. 131) as per an aspect of variousembodiments. A user digital communication (e.g. 131) may beelectronically received at a communication conversion system (e.g. 110)from at least one remote device (e.g. 130) at block 210. Identificationinformation of a user of the at least one remote device (e.g. 130) maybe applied to the user digital communication (e.g. 131) at block 215.The identification information may be applied automatically. The userdigital communication (e.g. 131) may be automatically converted into aformatted user communication (e.g. 113) according to at least onereceiving template at block 220. The at least one receiving template maybe based, at least in part, on at least one correctional receivingrequirement (e.g. 151). A communications address for a correctionalfacility (e.g. 150) may be automatically selected from a plurality ofcommunications addresses at block 230. The communications address may bebased, at least in part, on an identifier of an inmate supplied with theuser digital communication (e.g. 131). At least one printedcommunication (e.g. 191) may be automatically produced at block 240. Theat least one printed communication (e.g. 191) may be based, at least inpart, on the formatted user communication (e.g. 113). The at least oneprinted communication (e.g. 191) may be configured to be delivered tothe communications address. The at least one printed communication (e.g.191) may be delivered to the communications address at block 270. The atleast one printed communication (e.g. 191) may be deliveredautomatically. Payment information (e.g. 133) for at least one moneyorder may be electronically received at block 260. The at least onemoney order may be attached to the at least one printed communication(e.g. 191) at block 265. The at least one money order may be attachedautomatically. The user digital communication (e.g. 111) and/or theformatted user communication (e.g. 112) may be automatically stored inat least one data storage device (e.g. 170) at block 250. At least onegovernment agency user may be authenticated for access to the at leastone data storage device (e.g. 170) at block 255. The at least onegovernment agency user may be authenticated automatically. At least oneof the at least one government agency user may be granted access to theat least one data storage device (e.g. 170) at block 257. The at leastone of the at least one government agency user may be granted accessautomatically.

FIG. 3 is an example flow diagram of automatically converting privilegedcommunication (e.g. 131) as per an aspect of various embodiments. A userdigital communication (e.g. 131) may be electronically received at acommunication conversion system (e.g. 110) from at least one remotedevice (e.g. 130) at block 310. Identification information of a user ofthe at least one remote device (e.g. 130) may be applied to the userdigital communication (e.g. 131) at block 315. The user digitalcommunication (e.g. 131) may be automatically converted into a formatteduser communication (e.g. 113) according to at least one receivingtemplate at block 320. A communications address for a correctionalfacility (e.g. 150) may be automatically selected from a plurality ofcommunications addresses at block 330. The user digital communication(e.g. 131) may be identified as a privileged communication at block 335.The user digital communication (e.g. 131) may be identified as aprivileged communication automatically. At least one printedcommunication (e.g. 191) may be automatically produced at block 340. Theat least one printed communication (e.g. 191) may be delivered to thecommunications address at block 370. Communication header information(e.g. 114) for the user digital communication (e.g. 131) and/or theformatted user communication (e.g. 113) may be stored in at least onedata storage device (e.g. 170) at block 380. The communication headerinformation (e.g. 114) may be created and/or copied from the userdigital communication (e.g. 131) and/or the formatted user communication(e.g. 113). User digital communication (e.g. 181) and/or formatted usercommunication (e.g. 182) may be stored in at least one privileged datastorage device (e.g. 180) at block 390.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example communication processingsystem network 400 as per an aspect of various embodiments.Communication processing system network 400 may comprise at least onecommunication processing system 410 and at least one remote device 430.At least one communication processing system 410 and at least one remotedevice 430 may communicate through employment of a global computernetwork (e.g. the Internet).

According to some of the various embodiments, communication processingsystem 410 may be coupled to a global computer network. Communicationprocessing system 410 may be configured to perform a method ofautomatically converting at least one inmate communication 451 from aninmate, at a correctional facility 450, into inmate digitalcommunication(s) 411 for communication to at least one remote device430. The at least one inmate communication 451 may comprise, forexample, at least one handwritten note, at least one handwrittendrawing, at least one digital note, at least one image, at least oneaudio recording, at least one voice recording, at least one videorecording, combinations thereof, and/or the like. At least one inmatecommunication 451 may comprise a plurality of paper sizes and/or aplurality of paper types. The method performed by communicationprocessing system 410 may comprise receiving, at communicationprocessing system 410, at least one inmate communication 451 fromcorrectional facility 450. Correctional facility 450 may be one of aplurality of correctional facilities. At least some of the plurality ofcorrectional facilities may be in communication with communicationprocessing system 410. At least one inmate communication 451 may bereceived electronically. The method performed by communicationprocessing system 410 may comprise automatically scanning, bycommunication processing system 410, at least one side of each of atleast one inmate communication 451 into at least one digital file.

According to some of the various embodiments, a method performed bycommunication processing system 410 may comprise recognizing a pluralityof inmate communications 451 composed by the same inmate. Recognizingthe plurality of inmate communications 451 composed by the same inmatemay comprise handwriting recognition and/or at least one identifier ofthe inmate. The identifier of the inmate may be handwritten, added by acorrectional facility, encoded into a barcode, combinations thereof,and/or the like. The method performed by communication processing system410 may comprise adding at least a portion of an identifier of theinmate to at least one inmate communication 451 received without the atleast a portion of the identifier of the inmate. For example, inmatecommunication 451 may be received without any identifier of the inmate.In this case, the method performed by communication processing system410 may, for example, comprise adding the first name, last name, aninmate number of the inmate, combinations thereof, and/or the like.Inmate communication 451 may, for example, be received with an inmatenumber. In this case, the method performed by communication processingsystem 410 may, for example, comprise adding the first name and lastname of the inmate. Inmate communication 451 may, for example, bereceived with an inmate name. In this case, the method performed bycommunication processing system 410 may, for example, comprise addingthe inmate number of the inmate. According to some of the variousembodiments, the method performed by communication processing system 410may comprise adding a barcode comprising an identifier of the inmate toat least one inmate communication 451. The method performed bycommunication processing system 410 may comprise adding a date stamp toat least one inmate communication 451. The date stamp may be based on areceiving and/or scanning event.

According to some of the various embodiments, a method performed bycommunication processing system 410 may comprise combining a pluralityof digital files into one digital file. The method performed bycommunication processing system 410 may comprise automaticallyconverting at least one digital file into inmate digitalcommunication(s) 411 according to at least one sending template. The atleast one sending template may be based, at least in part, on at leastone formatting requirement of at least one remote device 430 and/or aservice provider of at least one remote device 430. For example, the atleast one formatting requirement of at least one remote device 430 maybe based on remote device type 431. The at least one sending templatemay, for example, be configured to flag names and/or locations. Namesand/or locations may be specified by at least one correctional facility(e.g. 450). According to some of the various embodiments, remote devicetype 431 may be employed to determine a screen size and/or screenresolution of at least one remote device 430. The at least oneformatting requirement of the service provider of at least one remotedevice 430 may be based on service provider information 432. Serviceprovider information 432 may be employed to determine a communicationsrequirement such as, for example, size, format, content types,combinations thereof, and/or the like. The method performed bycommunication processing system 410 may comprise electronicallycommunicating inmate digital communication(s) 411 to at least one remotedevice 430.

According to some of the various embodiments, communication processingsystem 410 may comprise multiple devices such as sorter(s), scanner(s),server(s), computer systems(s), mobile device(s), combinations thereof,and/or the like. For example, communication processing system 410 maycomprise at least one sorter 415, at least one scanner 416, and at leastone processing system 418. The at least one sorter 415 may be configuredto receive at least one inmate communication 451. The at least onesorter 415 may be configured to prepare at least one inmatecommunication 451 for scanning. The at least one scanner 416 may beconfigured to scan at least one inmate communication 451 into at leastone digital file. The at least one scanner 416 may be configured tocommunicate the at least one digital file to the at least one processingsystem 418. The at least one processing system 418 may be configured toautomatically convert the at least one digital file into inmate digitalcommunication(s) 411. The at least one sorter 415 and the at least onescanner 416 may be the same device.

According to some of the various embodiments, at least one inmatecommunication 451 may comprise an identifier of the inmate. Theidentifier may, for example, comprise a first name, a last name, alocation, a middle name, a date of birth, a social security number, aninmate number or other designator, combinations thereof, and/or thelike. At least one inmate communication 451 may comprise identificationinformation of a user of at least one remote device 430. Electroniccommunication with at least one remote device 430 may be based, at leastin part, on the identification information of the user. For example,communication processing system 410 may be configured to determine anelectronic address (e.g. email address, mobile phone number, socialmedia account) of a user of at least one remote device 430 from at leasta part of identification information (e.g. user name, first name, lastname, city, mailing address) of the user. In another example,communication processing system 410 may be configured to prepare atleast one digital file for direct mail if the intended recipient is nota registered user of communication processing system 410. According tosome of the various embodiments, at least one inmate communication 451may be void of an envelope. At least one inmate communication 451 may bevoid of an indication of postage.

According to some of the various embodiments, a method performed bycommunication processing system 410 may comprise automatically storingat least one digital file 412 and/or at least one inmate digitalcommunication 413 in at least one data storage device 470. At least oneinmate digital communication(s) 413 may be the same as at least oneinmate digital communication 411. At least one inmate digitalcommunication(s) 413 may be an encrypted and/or compressed version of atleast one inmate digital communication 411. The method performed bycommunication processing system 410 may comprise automaticallyauthenticating at least one government agency user for access to atleast one data storage device 470. The method performed by communicationprocessing system 410 may comprise automatically granting at least oneof the at least one government agency user access to at least one datastorage device 470. The method performed by communication processingsystem 410 may comprise facilitating a compliance verification. Thecompliance verification may be requested by at least one governmentagency user. The compliance verification may be based, at least in part,on privileged communication (e.g. 482 and 483) and/or communication(s)header information 414. The method performed by communication processingsystem 410 may comprise automatically searching at least one datastorage device 470. Searches may, for example, be based on at least onekeyword, at least one identifier of at least one inmate, identificationinformation of at least one user, combinations thereof, and/or the like.The at least one keyword may be received from the at least onegovernment agency user. The at least one keyword may be selected by theat least one government agency user from at least one list of aplurality of keywords provided by communication conversion system 410.

According to some of the various embodiments, a method performed bycommunication processing system 410 may comprise automaticallyidentifying inmate digital communication 451 as a privilegedcommunication. Identifying inmate digital communication 451 as aprivileged communication may be based, at least in part, onidentification information of a user of remote device 430. Identifyinginmate digital communication 451 as a privileged communication may bebased, at least in part, on a privileged communication designatorassociated with inmate digital communication 451. The privilegedcommunication designator may be based, at least in part, on an intendedrecipient of inmate digital communication 451. The privilegedcommunication designator may be based, at least in part, onidentification information of a user of remote device 430. For example,the intended recipient and/or identification information may comprise alegal practitioner, a medical practitioner, a religious practitioner,combinations thereof, and/or the like. According to some of the variousembodiments, the method performed by communication processing system 410may comprise automatically storing communication header information 414for the at least one digital file 412 and/or inmate digitalcommunication 413 in at least one data storage device 470. Communicationheader information 414 may comprise information other than contentassociated with the at least one digital file 412 and/or inmate digitalcommunication 413. The method performed by communication processingsystem 410 may comprise automatically storing at least one digital file482 and/or at least one inmate digital communication 483 in at least oneprivileged data storage device 480. The at least one digital file 482and/or the at least one inmate digital communication 483 may comprise aprivileged communication. The at least one inmate digital communication483 may be the same as at least one inmate digital communication 411.Access to the at least one privileged data storage device 480 may berestricted. Access to the at least one privileged data storage device480 may require a court order such as a subpoena or a warrant.

According to some of the various embodiments, an inmate communicationsystem may comprise at least one communication conversion system 110, atleast one data storage device (170 and/or 470), at least one printer190, at least one communication processing system 410, combinationsthereof, and/or the like. The at least one communication conversionsystem 110 may increase efficiency for users, correctional facilityemployees, government agents and employees, combinations thereof, and/orthe like. Efficiencies include improving accuracy and speed when findinginmate location information, sending correspondence to at least onecorrectional facility, opening and screening correspondence sent toinmates, locating and/or searching through past correspondence sent toinmates combinations thereof, and/or the like. The at least onecommunication processing system 410 may increase efficiency for inmates,users, correctional facility employees, government agents and employees,combinations thereof, and/or the like. Efficiencies include improvingaccuracy and speed when finding location information of friends andfamily members of inmates, sending or replying to mail from friends andfamily members of inmates, sorting and screening correspondence sentfrom inmates, locating and searching through past correspondence sentfrom inmates, combinations thereof, and/or the like.

FIG. 5 is an example flow diagram of automatically converting at leastone inmate communication (e.g. 451) as per an aspect of variousembodiments. At least one inmate communication (e.g. 451) may bereceived at a communication processing system (e.g. 410) from acorrectional facility (e.g. 450) at block 510. The at least one inmatecommunication (e.g. 451) may originate from an inmate. At least one sideof each of the at least one inmate communication (e.g. 451) may beautomatically scanned by the communication processing system (e.g. 410)at block 520. The at least one side of each of the at least one inmatecommunication (e.g. 451) may be automatically scanned into at least onedigital file. The at least one digital file may be automaticallyconverted into an inmate digital communication (e.g. 411) at block 530.The at least one digital file may be automatically converted accordingto at least one sending template. The at least one sending template maybe based, at least in part, on at least one formatting requirement of atleast one remote device (e.g. 430) and/or a service provider of the atleast one remote device (e.g. 430). The inmate digital communication(e.g. 411) may be electronically communicated to the at least one remotedevice (e.g. 430) at block 540. The at least one digital file (e.g. 412)and/or the inmate digital communication (e.g. 413) may be stored in atleast one data storage device (e.g. 470) at block 550.

FIG. 6 is an example flow diagram of automatically converting at leastone privileged communication (e.g. 451) as per an aspect of variousembodiments. At least one inmate communication (e.g. 451) may bereceived at a communication processing system (e.g. 410) from acorrectional facility (e.g. 450) at block 610. At least one side of eachof the at least one inmate communication (e.g. 451) may be automaticallyscanned by the communication processing system (e.g. 410) at block 620.The at least one side of each of the at least one inmate communication(e.g. 451) may be automatically scanned into at least one digital file.The at least one digital file may be automatically converted into aninmate digital communication (e.g. 411) at block 630. The at least onedigital file may be automatically converted according to at least onesending template. The at least one sending template may be based, atleast in part, on at least one formatting requirement of at least oneremote device (e.g. 430) and/or a service provider of the at least oneremote device (e.g. 430). The at least one inmate communication (e.g.451) may be identified as a privileged communication at block 635. Theat least one inmate communication (e.g. 451) may be identified as aprivileged communication automatically. The inmate digital communication(e.g. 411) may be electronically communicated to the at least one remotedevice (e.g. 430) at block 640. Communication header information (e.g.414) for the at least one digital file (e.g. 412) and/or inmate digitalcommunication (e.g. 413) may be stored in at least one data storagedevice (e.g. 470) at block 680. The communication header information(e.g. 414) may be created and/or copied from the at least one digitalfile (e.g. 412) and/or the inmate digital communication (e.g. 413). Atleast one digital file (e.g. 482) and/or inmate digital communication(e.g. 483) may be stored in at least one privileged data storage device(e.g. 480) at block 690.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of an example computing environment 700 inwhich aspects of embodiments of the present invention may be practiced.The computing environment may comprise computing device 710. Componentsof computing device 710 may include, but are not limited to, aprocessing unit 720, a system memory 730, and a system bus 721 thatcouples various system components including the system memory 730 to theprocessing unit 720.

Computing device 710 may comprise a variety of computer readable media.Computer readable media may be available media accessible by computingdevice 710 and may include both volatile and nonvolatile media,removable and non-removable media. By way of example, and notlimitation, computer readable media may comprise computer storage mediaand communication media. Computer storage media may comprise bothvolatile and nonvolatile, removable and non-removable media implementedin a method or technology for storage of information such as computerreadable instructions, data structures, program modules, other data,combinations thereof, and/or the like. Computer storage media maycomprise, but is not limited to, random access memory (RAM), read-onlymemory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory(EEPROM), flash memory or other memory technology, compact discread-only memory (CD-ROM), digital versatile disks (DVD) or otheroptical disk storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic diskstorage or other magnetic storage devices, and/or any other medium whichmay be employed to store information and which may be accessed bycomputer 710. Communication media may comprise computer readableinstructions, data structures, program modules and/or other data in amodulated data signal such as a carrier wave and/or other transportmechanism and may comprise information delivery media. The term“modulated data signal” means a signal that has one or more of itscharacteristics set or changed in such a manner as to encode informationin the signal. By way of example, and not limitation, communicationmedia includes wired media such as a wired network or direct-wiredconnection, and wireless media such as acoustic, radio frequency (RF),infrared and other wireless media. Combinations of any of the above mayalso be included within the scope of computer readable media.

The system memory 730 may comprise computer storage media in the form ofvolatile and/or nonvolatile memory such as ROM 731 and RAM 732. A basicinput/output system 733 (BIOS), containing the basic routines that helpto transfer information between elements within computer 710, such asduring start-up, may be stored in ROM 731. RAM 732 may comprise dataand/or program modules that may be accessible to and/or presently beingoperated on by processing unit 720. By way of example, and notlimitation, FIG. 7 illustrates operating system 734, applicationprograms 735, other program modules 736, and program data 737.

The computing device 710 may also comprise other removable/non-removablevolatile/nonvolatile computer storage media. By way of example only,FIG. 7 illustrates a hard disk drive 741 that may read from or write tonon-removable, nonvolatile magnetic media, a magnetic disk drive 751that may read from or write to a removable, nonvolatile magnetic disk752, a flash drive reader 757 that may read flash drive 758, and anoptical disk drive 755 that may read from or write to a removable,nonvolatile optical disk 756 such as a CD ROM or other optical media.Other removable/non-removable, volatile/nonvolatile computer storagemedia that may be used in the operating environment include, but are notlimited to, magnetic tape cassettes, flash memory cards, digitalversatile disks, digital video tape, solid state RAM, solid state ROM,and the like. The hard disk drive 741 may be connected to the system bus721 through a non-removable memory interface such as interface 740, andmagnetic disk drive 751 and optical disk drive 755 may be connected tothe system bus 721 by a removable memory interface, such as interface750.

The drives and their associated computer storage media discussed aboveand illustrated in FIG. 7 provide storage of computer readableinstructions, data structures, program modules and other data for thecomputer 710. In FIG. 7, for example, hard disk drive 741 is illustratedas storing operating system 744, application programs 745, program data747, and other program modules 746. Additionally, for example,non-volatile memory may include instructions for presenting images on adisplay 791 of computing device 700 and/or the like. Similarly,non-volatile memory may comprise instructions for causing thepresentation of images on the display of a remote computing device 780and/or the like. Display 791 and touch input 765 may be integrated intothe same device.

A user may enter commands and information into computing device 710through input devices such as a touch input device 765, a keyboard 762,a microphone 763, a camera 764, and a pointing device 761, such as amouse, trackball or touch pad. These and other input devices may beconnected to the processing unit 720 through interface 760 coupled tosystem bus 721, but may be connected by other interface and busstructures, such as a parallel port, game port or a universal serial bus(USB). A display 791 or other type of display device may be connected tothe system bus 721 via an interface, such as a video interface 790.Other devices, such as, for example, speakers 797 and printer 796 may beconnected to the system via output interface 795.

The computing device 710 may be operated in a networked environmentusing logical connections to one or more remote computers, such as aremote computer 780. Remote computer 780 may be a personal computer, ahand-held device, a server, a router, a network PC, a peer device orother common network node, and typically includes many or all of theelements described above relative to the computing device 710. Thelogical connections depicted in FIG. 7 include a local area network(LAN) 771 and a wide area network (WAN) 773, but may also include othernetworks. Such networking environments are commonplace in offices,enterprise-wide computer networks, intranets and the Internet.

When used in a LAN networking environment, the computing device 710 isconnected to the LAN 771 through a network interface or adapter 770.When used in a WAN networking environment, the computing device 710 maycomprise a modem 772 or other means for establishing communications overthe WAN 773, such as the Internet. The modem 772, which may be internalor external, may be connected to the system bus 781 via interface 760,or other appropriate mechanism. The modem 772 may be wired or wireless.Examples of wireless devices may comprise, but are not limited to: Wi-Fiand Bluetooth. In a networked environment, program modules depictedrelative to the computing device 710, or portions thereof, may be storedin the remote memory storage device. By way of example, and notlimitation, FIG. 7 illustrates remote application programs 785 asresiding on remote computer 780. It will be appreciated that the networkconnections shown are presented as examples only and other means ofestablishing a communications link between the computers may be used.

Although the subject matter has been described in language specific tostructural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understoodthat the subject matter defined in the appended claims is notnecessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above.Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed asexample forms of implementing the claims.

In this specification, “a” and “an” and similar phrases are to beinterpreted as “at least one” and “one or more.” References to “a”,“an”, and “one” are not to be interpreted as “only one”. References to“an” embodiment in this disclosure are not necessarily to the sameembodiment.

Many of the elements described in the disclosed embodiments may beimplemented as modules. A module is defined here as an isolatableelement that performs a defined function and has a defined interface toother elements. The modules described in this disclosure may beimplemented in hardware, a combination of hardware and software,firmware, wetware (i.e. hardware with a biological element) or acombination thereof, all of which are behaviorally equivalent. Forexample, modules may be implemented using computer hardware incombination with software routine(s) written in a computer language(Java, HTML, XML, PHP, Python, ActionScript, JavaScript, Ruby, Prolog,SQL, VBScript, Visual Basic, Perl, C, C++, Objective-C or the like).Additionally, it may be possible to implement modules using physicalhardware that incorporates discrete or programmable analog, digitaland/or quantum hardware. Examples of programmable hardware include:computers, microcontrollers, microprocessors, application-specificintegrated circuits (ASICs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), andcomplex programmable logic devices (CPLDs). Computers, microcontrollersand microprocessors are programmed using languages such as assembly, C,C++ or the like. FPGAs, ASICs and CPLDs are often programmed usinghardware description languages (HDL) such as VHSIC hardware descriptionlanguage (VHDL) or Verilog that configure connections between internalhardware modules with lesser functionality on a programmable device.Finally, it needs to be emphasized that the above-mentioned technologiesmay be used in combination to achieve the result of a functional module.

Some embodiments may employ processing hardware. Processing hardware mayinclude one or more processors, computer equipment, embedded system,machines and/or the like. The processing hardware may be configured toexecute instructions. The instructions may be stored on amachine-readable medium. According to some embodiments, themachine-readable medium (e.g. automated data medium) may be a mediumconfigured to store data in a machine-readable format that may beaccessed by an automated sensing device. Examples of machine-readablemedia include: magnetic disks, cards, tapes, and drums, flash memory,memory cards, electrically erasable programmable read-only memory(EEPROM), solid state drives, optical disks, barcodes, magnetic inkcharacters, and/or the like.

While various embodiments have been described above, it should beunderstood that they have been presented by way of example, and notlimitation. It will be apparent to persons skilled in the relevantart(s) that various changes in form and detail can be made thereinwithout departing from the spirit and scope. In fact, after reading theabove description, it will be apparent to one skilled in the relevantart(s) how to implement alternative embodiments. Thus, the presentembodiments should not be limited by any of the above describedexemplary embodiments. In particular, it should be noted that, forexample purposes, communication conversion system 110 may comprise aserver and remote device 130 may comprise a mobile device. However, oneskilled in the art will recognize that the server and mobile device mayvary from a traditional server/device relationship over a network suchas the internet. For example, a server may be collective based: portableequipment, broadcast equipment, virtual, application(s) distributed overa broad combination of computing sources, part of a cloud, and/or thelike. Similarly, for example, a mobile device may be a user basedclient, portable equipment, broadcast equipment, virtual, application(s)distributed over a broad combination of computing sources, part of acloud, and/or the like. Similarly, for example purposes, communicationprocessing system 410 may comprise a server and remote device 430 maycomprise a mobile device.

In this specification, various embodiments are disclosed. Limitations,features, and/or elements from the disclosed example embodiments may becombined to create further embodiments within the scope of thedisclosure.

In addition, it should be understood that any figures that highlight anyfunctionality and/or advantages, are presented for example purposesonly. The disclosed architecture is sufficiently flexible andconfigurable, such that it may be utilized in ways other than thatshown. For example, the steps listed in any flowchart may be re-orderedor only optionally used in some embodiments.

Further, the purpose of the Abstract of the Disclosure is to enable theU.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, andespecially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art whoare not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determinequickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of thetechnical disclosure of the application. The Abstract of the Disclosureis not intended to be limiting as to the scope in any way.

Finally, it is the applicant's intent that only claims that include theexpress language “means for” or “step for” be interpreted under 35U.S.C. 112. Claims that do not expressly include the phrase “means for”or “step for” are not to be interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112.

What is claimed is:
 1. A communication processing system coupled to aglobal computer network and configured to perform a method ofautomatically converting at least one inmate communication from aninmate into an inmate digital communication for communication to atleast one remote device, the method performed by the communicationprocessing system comprising: a) receiving, at the communicationprocessing system, the at least one inmate communication from acorrectional facility; b) automatically scanning, by the communicationprocessing system, at least one side of each of the at least one inmatecommunication into at least one digital file; c) automaticallyconverting the at least one digital file into the inmate digitalcommunication according to at least one sending template, the at leastone sending template based, at least in part, on at least one formattingrequirement of at least one of: i) the at least one remote device; andii) a service provider of the at least one remote device; and d)electronically communicating the inmate digital communication to the atleast one remote device.
 2. The system according to claim 1, wherein atleast one of the at least one inmate communication comprises anidentifier of the inmate.
 3. The system according to claim 1, wherein atleast one of the at least one inmate communication comprisesidentification information of a user of the at least one remote device.4. The system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one inmatecommunication is void of an envelope.
 5. The system according to claim1, wherein the at least one inmate communication is void of anindication of postage.
 6. The system according to claim 1, wherein themethod performed by the communication processing system furthercomprises automatically storing at least one of the following in atleast one data storage device: a) the at least one digital file; and b)the inmate digital communication.
 7. The system according to claim 1,wherein the method performed by the communication processing systemfurther comprises: a) automatically identifying the inmate digitalcommunication as a privileged communication; and b) automaticallystoring communication header information for at least one of thefollowing in at least one data storage device: i) the at least onedigital file; and ii) the inmate digital communication.
 8. The systemaccording to claim 1, wherein the method performed by the communicationprocessing system further comprises: a) automatically identifying theinmate digital communication as a privileged communication; and b)automatically storing at least one of the following in at least oneprivileged data storage device: i) the at least one digital file; andii) the inmate digital communication.
 9. A method of automaticallyconverting at least one inmate communication from an inmate into aninmate digital communication for communication to a user of at least oneremote device, the method comprising: a) receiving, at a communicationprocessing system, the at least one inmate communication from acorrectional facility; b) automatically scanning, by the communicationprocessing system, at least one side of each of the at least one inmatecommunication into at least one digital file; c) automaticallyconverting the at least one digital file into the inmate digitalcommunication according to at least one sending template, the at leastone sending template based, at least in part, on at least one formattingrequirement of at least one of: i) the at least one remote device; andii) a service provider of the at least one remote device; and d)electronically communicating the inmate digital communication to the atleast one remote device.
 10. The method according to claim 9, wherein atleast one of the at least one inmate communication comprises anidentifier of the inmate.
 11. The method according to claim 9, whereinat least one of the at least one inmate communication comprisesidentification information of the user of the at least one remotedevice.
 12. The method according to claim 9, wherein the at least oneinmate communication is void of an envelope.
 13. The method according toclaim 9, wherein the at least one inmate communication is void of anindication of postage.
 14. The method according to claim 9, furthercomprising storing at least one of the following in at least one datastorage device: a) the at least one digital file; and b) the inmatedigital communication.
 15. The method according to claim 9, furthercomprising: a) identifying the inmate digital communication as aprivileged communication; and b) storing communication headerinformation for at least one of the following in at least one datastorage device: i) the at least one digital file; and ii) the inmatedigital communication.
 16. The method according to claim 9, furthercomprising: a) identifying the inmate digital communication as aprivileged communication; and b) storing at least one of the followingin at least one privileged data storage device: i) the at least onedigital file; and ii) the inmate digital communication.